But for the grace of God and two brave police officers, I would not be writing this letter.

On July 22 at 3 a.m., I woke the same time as my dog and saw a monster red ball of fire engulfing my garage and could feel heat. I called 911 from the living room where I’d been sleeping the last two weeks while waiting for a decision about a serious operation I needed. Within five minutes of calling, two police officers came into my home and said, “You must leave” with dog, etc. They both turned back on deck to check the garage for fire and saw the end of my home was smoking and a window was blown out.

They took my water hose on the deck and tried to keep my home from bursting into flames. I stood, hanging onto my walker and saw heat vapors around both men. I was now in shock. One ran back in and said, “Dawn, you must leave with me. Now,” several times. He called for the other officer to help him to get me out with the dog. At this moment, two fire trucks arrived with an ambulance. Two men from the rescue squad took care of me while I wanted to know if both officers were OK.

These two men who saved me and my home until the firemen arrived turned out to be not both Fair Haven officers. Officer Rieble (sp?) was our own, while the other was Constable Brian Lewis from Irasburg.

How do you thank them enough? And how do you thank the rescue squad and Fire Chief Ward and his also brave men who worked hard to save my home and put out the garage, which was a complete loss.

We don’t know how brave they all are until we need them. This includes Police Chief Humphries, who worked tirelessly, too.

All of them saved my home, myself and animals. You all will hold a big place in my heart forever. A “Safe Path” to all of you.